Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

“Is that… I mean, is that woman a…lady of the night?”
    Melody moved closer in, as well. “College student, probably,” she said.
    â€œOne goes to college for that occupation now?”
    She laughed, shaking her head. “No, no. Her outfit is modern—daring, especially in winter. But I don’t think she’s a hooker. Sorry. I believe the term hooker came from the Civil War—Hooker’s girls. Never mind. I don’tbelieve she’s a prostitute. That’s called a minidress. She’s got the youth and the body for it, looks pretty cute.”
    â€œAh. I’m sorry—it wouldn’t be considered decent at all in my…world,” he said.
    â€œThank God you didn’t fall to earth on Miami Beach,” she said.
    He gazed at her, refraining from asking her about Miami Beach. She was glad—a waitress warmly clad in corduroy jeans and a turtleneck sweater came to the table. Melody opted for a totally fattening Kalhúa and hot chocolate, and Jake said that he’d have the same.
    The waitress had just moved away when Jake came to his feet, a frown on his face, his posture defensive. Melody felt fingers come over her eyes and a teasing voice said, “Guess who?”
    She grabbed the hands and quickly drew her brother around to introduce him to Jake, ruing the fact that Keith had already made it home. She really needed more time to figure out something to do about Jake.
    â€œJake,” she said quickly, “this is my brother, Keith. Keith, Jake Mallory.”
    Keith was a good soul. Sure, he’d been a pain-in-the-ass baby brother at times, playing the usual stupid pranks like leaving the saltshaker lid on loose and going off into gales of laughter when she wound up with a white mountain on her French fries. But he had matured into a good-looking young man with an open mind, an easy humor and not much in the way of a temper. She thought of him often as a little mini-me of her father, because they were so into science. He had finally learned the difference between a Monet and a Picasso for her sake, and for him—and her father—she had tried to understand the basic concepts of physics.As a brother, he was coming along nicely. They both loved a lot of the same music, and that had always helped them along.
    â€œHow do you do?” Jake asked politely.
    â€œGood, thanks. Jake, nice to meet you.” Keith drew up a chair and straddled it, grinning. He looked at Jake. “My mom and dad are all agog over you. Tearing their hair out. They don’t think they’ve met your parents. They used to be sure they knew everyone around here. And they’re still convinced that you’re related to Melody’s—er—friend Mark.”
    â€œI don’t believe I’m related to Mark. Your parents are charming,” Jake said simply.
    Thank God. He was getting better.
    â€œSo, you two met at school?” Keith asked.
    â€œCollege,” Melody said. Soon enough, she’d get good at the lie.
    â€œDid you order drinks?”
    â€œHot chocolate with Kahlúa,” Melody said.
    â€œI’ll go order the same. You’re not on one of your diets, I take it?” he asked Melody.
    â€œNo, I’m not on a diet,” she said, glaring at him.
    Keith grinned at Jake. “Oh, wait, that’s right. Melody and my mom never go on diets. They go on lifestyles. ”
    â€œKeith!” Melody said sharply.
    He shrugged.
    â€œI’ll seek out the young woman who took our order,” Jake said, standing and walking toward the bar.
    Keith looked at Melody. “You are such a liar.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œYou’ve obviously forgotten that I came and hung around your college dorm every chance I could get,falling in love with all the ‘older’ women around you. I would have met this guy. Who is he?”
    She stared at her brother. “You didn’t meet